





1. A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING CAPROLACTAM WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF CHARGING A PRESSURE VESSEL WITH ADIPOMONONITROLIC ACID, A HYDROGENATION CATALYST AND A SOLVENT, PRESSURIZING THE VESSEL WITH HYDROGEN AT A PRESSURE OF AT LEAST ABOUT 500 P.S.I., HEATING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME SUFFICIENT TO PRODUCE CAPROLACTAM, AND RECOVERING CAPROLACTAM. 